In fair Verona, where we lay our scene ...

Romeo is infatuated with a girl named Rosaline, one of Capulet's nieces.

The son of Montague and his wife, Romeo secretly loves and marries Juliet, the daughter of a rival House.

Juliet is the only daughter of the patriarch of the House of Capulet.

Tybalt is enraged at Romeo for sneaking into the ball but is stopped from killing him by Juliet's father who does not wish to shed blood in his house.

Count Paris talks to Capulet about marrying his daughter Juliet, but Capulet asks him to wait "two more summers".

One aspect of the story which now seems problematic is Juliet's age. As the story occurs, Juliet is approaching her fourteenth birthday.

Benvolio serves as an unsuccessful peacemaker in the play, attempting to prevent violence between the Capulet and Montague families.

Tybalt, angry that Romeo has snuck into the Capulet ball, challenges him to a duel. Romeo, refuses to fight, but Mercutio accepts the duel on Romeo's behalf and is fatally wounded when Romeo attempts to break up the fight.

Grief-stricken at Mercutio's death, Romeo slays Tybalt.